My husband and I are first timers traveling to Ireland in June. Here's our plan:
Fly into Shannon 1st night in Ennis 2nd night Dingle 3rd and 4th night Kenmare 5th Kilkenny 6th and 7th Dublin
Is this too much driving? Should we do 2 nights in Dingle and 1 night in Kenmare instead of 2 in Kenmare? I could leave out Ennis if its too much, but I hate to miss the cliffs.
Though your trip is certainly doable, it will be busy! You could leave in Ennis to see the cliffs and do away with Kilkenny, adding a day to Dingle that way. You dfeintely need two days in Dingle. I wouldn't take away time from Kenmare to accomplish it though, as one of the days in Kenmare you could use for a Ring of Beara drive. If your purpose of staying in Ennis is for the Cliffs, I would suggest that you see the Cliffs when you arrive in on the first day. If you take the coastal road, you will have time for the Cliffs, lunch in Doolin and perhaps a Cliffs of Moher Cruise and then into Ennis for your night's stay. An early start from Ennis the next morning and a trip on the Kilmer/Tarbert Ferry, should allow you more time to explore the Dingle peninsula and help you get your bearings. You can stop in Killarney on the way over to Kenmare or drive the Ring of Kerry.
Kilkenny is a fabulous town and I usually don't recommend skipping it. However, Dingle really needs a two night stay. YOu can always stop over in Kilkenny on your way to Dublin and at least take lunch and explore a bit.
Have a grand adventure! Make sure that you book all of your lodgings now, as June starts to get in to the busy time.
Thanks for your advice. I don't mind taking a full night in Kilkenny out, but we need to be in Dublin at a decent time that 6th day because we have a concert (Aerosmith) in Marley Park that night. So I thought it would be easier to break up the drive. Should I give up Ennis area/Cliffs for Kilkenny area/Rock of Cashel?
Since you need to cover a lot of territory in the time you have for your trip to Ireland I suggest only one change. On your first day - if your goal is to see the Cliffs of Moher - don't end the day in Ennis. Instead go down the coast to Kilrush for your overnight stay. That will position you to hop right on the Shannon ferry in the morning and make the most of your time in Dingle.
Is your goal to see the Rock of Cashel and then on to Kilkenny? Did you know that one of Ireland's best castles is in Cahir just south of Cashel?
It is quite a bit of driving but you are breaking it up. Have fun.
Thanks for the advice. Kilrush sounds like a wondeful idea. I hated to miss the Cliffs of Moher or Kilkenny. And yes I want to visit Cahir and Rock of Cashel on the way to Kilkenny. I can't wait for our trip.
I don't think you will have much time in Kilkenny since you will be spending most of the day driving and in Cahir and Cashel. Of course you could always do it on the day your drive to Dublin.
I love the Swiss Cottage. It is so romantic. However, a lot of people don't have time for it when just passing through. There is a lovely walk along the river in Cahir too.